Ryan is a supervisory hydrologist with the Colorado Water Science Center
Dr. Banta’s research interests are based in the earth sciences. He received his bachelors degree from University of California, Davis majoring in Soil and Water Science with an Environmental Toxicology minor. He performed his graduate work at the University of Nevada, Reno where he received an M.S. and Ph.D. in Hydrology. His graduate and postdoctoral research focused on interdisciplinary approaches to investigate implications of high resolution trace element ice core and surface snow records from Greenland and Antarctica, with specific attention to tracers of dust, sea salt, anthropogenic pollution, and climate change. Dr. Banta’s current research focuses on lower latitude interests related to hydrologic cycle, geochemsitry and water quality, as well as surface water and ground water interactions. He is working with issues related to water quality and water quantity in cooperation with local partners to better understand hydrologic processes.
Education and Certifications
BS University of California
University of Nevada, Reno
Science and Products
Hydrogeologic Atlas for Fort Bliss
Successful long term stewardship of Fort Bliss lands includes managing traditional hydrologic resources such as surface water and groundwater resources and increasingly, geologic resources such as geothermal reservoirs and deep well injection locations. The USGS Texas Water Science Center is developing a garrison-wide hydrogeologic atlas that describes the hydrology and hydrogeology of Fort Bliss...
Effects of Huisache Removal on Evapotranspiration
USGS Texas Water Science Center scientists are evaluating potential changes in the hydrologic budget, specifically evapotranspiration, as a result of brush management (applied to huisache) as a conservation practice.
Evapotranspiration Science in Texas
Evapotranspiration is the evaporation of water from plant leaves and the ground surface and is an important component of a water budget. The USGS Texas Water Science Center (TXWSC) monitors evapotranspiration rates to evaluate how changes in land cover and soil moisture content may change water budgets. Visit the links below for more information on our data and science.
Edwards Aquifer Studies in Texas
The Edwards aquifer in south-central Texas is one of the most productive aquifers in the Nation and is the primary source of water for the rapidly growing San Antonio area. Springs issuing from the Edwards aquifer provide habitat for several threatened and endangered species, serve as locations for recreational activities, and supply downstream users.The USGS Texas Water Science Center (TXWSC)...
Comprehensive Water-Quality Study for the Arkansas River Basin, Colorado
Changes in land and water use associated with population growth and agricultural practices within the Arkansas River Basin are likely to affect water-quality on a local and, possibly, a basin-wide scale. To manage the limited water resources in the basin most effectively it is important to understand the processes that affect water quality within the basin and how future changes in land and water...
Comparison of the power consumption coefficient (PCC) method to totalizing flow meter (TFM) for estimating ground-water pumpage in the Arkansas River Valley, Colorado
In the mid-1990s, the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) adopted rules governing measurement of tributary groundwater pumpage for the Arkansas River Basin. The rules allowed groundwater pumpage to be determined using one of two approaches—power conversion coefficient (PCC) or totalizing flowmeters (TFM). In addition, the rules allowed a PCC to be applied to the electrical power usage up...
Hydrogeology and water quality of the shallow unconsolidated-rock aquifers in the Upper Arkansas River Basin from Buena Vista to Salida, Colorado
Population growth near Buena Vista and Salida in Chaffee County has caused concern for the long-term availability and quality of groundwater . Groundwater withdrawals from deep wells that are completed in the basin-fill deposits and designed to supply multiple-dwelling developments could cause drawdowns in water levels of the overlying aquifers. Continued development of groundwater supplies in...
Arkansas River Water-Quality Data
The Arkansas River Basin drains an area of 24,904 square miles of southeastern Colorado. Like other basins on the Front Range, the Arkansas Basin has experienced growth and is expected to have significant increases in growth in the future. Demands on the limited water resources also will increase as changes in water storage, water releases, and/or transfer of waters within or outside of the basin...
Science and Products
- Science
Hydrogeologic Atlas for Fort Bliss
Successful long term stewardship of Fort Bliss lands includes managing traditional hydrologic resources such as surface water and groundwater resources and increasingly, geologic resources such as geothermal reservoirs and deep well injection locations. The USGS Texas Water Science Center is developing a garrison-wide hydrogeologic atlas that describes the hydrology and hydrogeology of Fort Bliss...Effects of Huisache Removal on Evapotranspiration
USGS Texas Water Science Center scientists are evaluating potential changes in the hydrologic budget, specifically evapotranspiration, as a result of brush management (applied to huisache) as a conservation practice.Evapotranspiration Science in Texas
Evapotranspiration is the evaporation of water from plant leaves and the ground surface and is an important component of a water budget. The USGS Texas Water Science Center (TXWSC) monitors evapotranspiration rates to evaluate how changes in land cover and soil moisture content may change water budgets. Visit the links below for more information on our data and science.Edwards Aquifer Studies in Texas
The Edwards aquifer in south-central Texas is one of the most productive aquifers in the Nation and is the primary source of water for the rapidly growing San Antonio area. Springs issuing from the Edwards aquifer provide habitat for several threatened and endangered species, serve as locations for recreational activities, and supply downstream users.The USGS Texas Water Science Center (TXWSC)...Comprehensive Water-Quality Study for the Arkansas River Basin, Colorado
Changes in land and water use associated with population growth and agricultural practices within the Arkansas River Basin are likely to affect water-quality on a local and, possibly, a basin-wide scale. To manage the limited water resources in the basin most effectively it is important to understand the processes that affect water quality within the basin and how future changes in land and water...Comparison of the power consumption coefficient (PCC) method to totalizing flow meter (TFM) for estimating ground-water pumpage in the Arkansas River Valley, Colorado
In the mid-1990s, the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) adopted rules governing measurement of tributary groundwater pumpage for the Arkansas River Basin. The rules allowed groundwater pumpage to be determined using one of two approaches—power conversion coefficient (PCC) or totalizing flowmeters (TFM). In addition, the rules allowed a PCC to be applied to the electrical power usage up...Hydrogeology and water quality of the shallow unconsolidated-rock aquifers in the Upper Arkansas River Basin from Buena Vista to Salida, Colorado
Population growth near Buena Vista and Salida in Chaffee County has caused concern for the long-term availability and quality of groundwater . Groundwater withdrawals from deep wells that are completed in the basin-fill deposits and designed to supply multiple-dwelling developments could cause drawdowns in water levels of the overlying aquifers. Continued development of groundwater supplies in...Arkansas River Water-Quality Data
The Arkansas River Basin drains an area of 24,904 square miles of southeastern Colorado. Like other basins on the Front Range, the Arkansas Basin has experienced growth and is expected to have significant increases in growth in the future. Demands on the limited water resources also will increase as changes in water storage, water releases, and/or transfer of waters within or outside of the basin... - Data
- Publications